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Choctaw Housing Opens In Hugo

Photo by Charles Clark / Choctaw Nation
Chief Gary Batton and District 8 Tribal Councilman Perry Thompson get assistance with the scissors to cut the ribbon for the first ten homes of the Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation’s LEAP program.

 

Choctaw Housing Opens First of New LEAP Homes

HUGO, Okla. – Ten Choctaw families are now on their way to becoming homeowners, some for the first time.

The Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation is building new brick homes in southeastern Oklahoma through its new lease-purchase (LEAP) program. The first of these housing additions was dedicated Friday, June 15 in Hugo.

Chief Gary Batton said, “Each of our 12 districts will be getting ten homes to start. These were the first to be finished in Hugo. Others are under construction and expect completion this year.” It is a real opportunity, said Chief Batton, for families who may be having a hard time, paying high rent, to invest in good homes of their own that they can afford.

Choctaw singers performed two traditional hymns in the Choctaw language to help christen the homes before the new homeowners were recognized and tours conducted.

Choctaw Nation Tribal Council and Choctaw Nation Housing board members were in attendance, as well as Sunview Development Company representative Jason Mauck and LW Development’s Lance Windel. According to the builders, the Hugo addition features one four-bedroom, two-bathroom home and nine three-bed, two-bath homes ranging from 1,422 to 1,553 square feet in size. All have two-car garages and sodded lawns. Located in the 1000 block of East Wilbur, the all-electric residences come equipped with new appliances and central heat-and-air.

The housing department has been helping Choctaw families since 1965. The stated mission of the new LEAP program is “to build strong families and vibrant neighborhoods through quality affordable housing and strengthened financial stability for those we serve.” Families with credit issues are assisted to become mortgage ready and lender qualified over time by receiving credit counseling services.

Each new LEAP addition is for ten homes with construction lasting about three-to-four months. All total, 120 families will benefit from the LEAP program in 2018.

Director of the LEAP program is Josh Raper, jraper@choctawhousing.com. For additional information about the LEAP, contact Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation in Hugo, 800-235-3087 or online www.choctawnation.com/leap-program.